Scan award system



A119 2, 1966 H. G. .JENSEN ET Al. 3,263,788

SCAN AWARD SYSTEM Filed July 10. 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l e t fg cu "o mg ln. 5 N m o: 'I Z o E O m 'D I- 2 o -rlf D t0 T0 L9 g l U '0 3. '0 @1 mwVa] i N m fr o c?, cn g w O E u' N N N N (2 m 1f-JV N 4 m 4 D c L 1- N hIlI o 5 T3 (g O lo n t f- #8 m Q EN O M l N v l lr) 1- Nl N 1 l cu "1 m\0 E H l '0 (L 6 i l /O if f I m I o lNvENToRS.

HERMAN GJENS/V i g HUBERT Pou/v I l l Aug. 2, 1966 H. G. JENSEN ET ALSCAN AWARD SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Shes?I 2 Filed July l0, 1964 NN wm .EDOEO ZT.ISONZO ug- 2, 1966 H. G. JENSEN ET AL SCAN AWARD SYSTEM 5 Sheets-SheMMIII@ INVENTOR HERMA/v s. JE/VE/v ROBQKAPou/v BY LN@ .74

Filed July lO, 1964 Allg- 2, 1966 H. G. JENSEN ET AL S CAN AWARD SYSTEM5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 10, 1964 Aug- 2, 1966 H. G. JENSEN ET AL3,263,788

SCAN AWARD SYSTEM Filed July 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 -x/C ffm L KAL f,A5 {fx/CFL \A/ /-\"4- SPOTLIGHTED ALBUM AWARD DEPOSIT QUARTER 5o ALBUMAND PRESS `Tl-Us B UTToN-D Fol ONLY A Fog THE SPOTLIGHTED QU RTER AL UMR Zr-. 7 HERMA Av illi- ROBERT K OU/V BY EN 7/ L-1TH??A United StatesPatent O 3,263,788 SCAN AWARD SYSTEM Herman G. Jensen, Chicago, andRobert Kapoun, Glenview, Ill., assignors to The Seeburg Corporation,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 10, 1964, Ser. No.381,715 24 Claims. (Cl. 194-12) This invention relates to a scan awardsystem and to a rotary switch scan control system therefor and in adescribed embodiment to a scan award system for a coinoperatedphonograph vending installation adapted to Vend an awarded recordselection under certain predetermined conditions at a bargain price.

It is of course ya well known fact that automated vending installationshave become a significant factor in the retail merchandising of articles(e.g., candy bars) and of services (e.g., the playing of recordedmusic). However, one important drawback to such installations has beentheir relative inexibility for utilizing proven merchandising techniquesbased upon award and bargain concepts. To an extent, bargainmerchandising has been used in the vending business (fas, for example,by offering a single selection record play for 101; and three singleselection record plays for 25 in coin-operated phonographs), and suchuse has been highly successful. However, vending merchandisers areconstantly striving for additional ways to utilize bargain concepts, andthis invention provides a new and unique approach for utilizing bothbargain and award concepts in the operation of a vending installation.

In the embodiment set forth herein, the invention is described inconjunction with an exemplary coin-operated phonograph; however, it willbe readily apparent to one skilled in the vending art that various othertypes of vending installations could be equipped with correspondingsystems based upon the principles of the subject invention.

The exemplary coin-operated phonograph is adapted to dispense eithersingle selection record plays for a first price or album selection playsfor a second and higher price. Signal means are provided in thephonograph cafbinet lfor displaying selectively illuminated facsimilesof a number of album jackets in an award scan panel situated atop thephonograph cabinet. Normally activated scan means illuminate each of thefacsimiles one `at a time in an apparently random (although actuallypredetermined) scan pattern so that the flashing lights will attract thecustomers attention.

After the customer deposits sumcient coins and thereby conditions thephonograph to vend an ordinary selection at regular prices pursuant tonormal operation thereof, start means automatically activate awardconditioning means, which in turn deactivate the scan means, and therebycause the scanning random illumination to cease, with one givenspotlighted facsimile remaining illuminated. The customer has no controlover the determination of which potential award is made available, andthus, from the customers viewpoint, award availability is based upon anarbitrary or random pattern of selection.

Also, visual and audible signals are communicated to the customer toinform him that the album corresponding to the given spotlightedfacsimile is available at the bargain price. The customer may thendeposit Aadditional coins (so as to establish credit corresponding tothe bargain price), and award selection means will then be activated soas to vend the awarded selection. However, only a predetermined timeinterval is allowed for selecting the spotlighted album, and, if thecustomer fails to take the benefit of the awarded bargain, theavailability of the bargain selection is automatically erased from thephonograph unit by a time delay system.

Means are provided to deactivate the start means during 3,263,788Patented August 2, 1966 ACC an award vend function so as to prevent thegranting of an award based upon an yaward selection, etc., and toprevent the vending of an ordinary selection during an award vendfunction. Also, the exemplary coin-operated phonograph is provided withshiftable credit subtract means adapted to remove established credits atordinary and at bargain prices, as required.

Thus, the arrangement described herein is adapted to incorporate bothaward and bargain concepts into a vending installation by automaticallymaking available a given one of several potential awards at a lbargainprice. However, it should be understood that, in one of its aspects, thesubject invention relates to the award selection concept even in theabsence yof `a bargain price associated with the award. Moreover, inanother of its aspects, the subject invention embraces a rotary switchscan control arrangement that is new and unique in its own right. Thisrandomly .timed scan control arrangement may form a part of and indeedis especially adapted for use in a scan award system based upon theprinciples of the subject invention.

Accordingly, it is ,a primary object of this invention to provide a newand unique scan yaward system for utilizing award concepts in a vendinginstallation and preferably for incorporating both award and bargainconcepts into the vending operation.

It is a related object of this invention to provide a new and uniquerotary switch scan control system for xing the position of the rotaryswitch at a randomly selected point.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a scan award system ofthe type described having a scan control system of the type describedincorporated therein.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a newand unique arrangement for vending award selections at a bargain price,especially in coin-operated phonographs.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the subjectinvention will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of illustration,but not of limitation, an exemplary embodiment 4of the subject inventionis shown in the appended drawings, in which:

FIGURES 1-4 are schematic circuit diagrams of respective portions of ascan award system produced in accordance with the subject invention;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic layout view showing the inter-relationship ofthe Various elements illustrated in FIGURES l-4;

FIGURE 6 is a front perspective view lof an exemplary coin-operatedphonograph equipped with :a scan award panel adapted to operate inconjunction with the system shown in FIGURES 1-4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic View of portions of the phonographscan award panel shown in FIG- URE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shiftable creditsubtract system for the coin-operated phonograph.

With reference to the drawings, FIGURE 6 shows a Vending installation inthe form of a coin-operated phonograph 1 which is adapted to operate inconjunction with a scan award system produced in accordance with thesubject invention. The phonograph 1 is provided in a conventional mannerwith a title display 3 and with selector buttons 5 so that, upon theestablishment of appropriate credit by the deposit of coins duringnormal operation, the customer may select an ordinary record .play ofhis choice by correlating depression of the selector buttons 5 with thecorresponding record title shown in the title display 3. In thedescribed embodiment, some of the titles that the phonograph 1 vendsduring normal operation take the form of single play selectionsavailable at a first given price (10 per play or three plays for 25) andthe remainder of the titles take the for-m of album or longplayingselections available at a second and higher given price (50 per play).

The phonograph 1 is additionally adapted to vend award selections (oneof iifteen albums normally vended at 50 per play) at a bargain price (25per play) in the following manner.

A display board 7 is provided perpendicularly adjacent the title display3 so that iive album jackets (i.e., printed material describing a givenalbum) can be displayed to the customers view. A scan award panel SP isalso provided atop the phonograph 1, and the panel SP comprises a frame9 having a series Vertical ribs 11 extending across a hollow interiorthereof so as to define a series of-fifteen display windows 13. Eachwindow 13 is adapted to receive a miniaturized facsimile of an albumjacket, and a light is positioned behind each window (i.e., award lampsAL1-1'5, arranged in a lamp bank LB as shown in FIG- URE 4) so that thewindows may lbe selectively illuminated in an apparently random scanpattern, as hereinafter described.

The scan award panel SP is also provided with two translucent indiciapanels P1 and P2 (FIGURES 6 and 7) and an opaque award button AB(FIGURES 4, 6, and 7). As shown in FIGURE 7, the panels P1 and P2 :areprovided with the following indicia messages, respectively: AWARD 50ALBUM FOR ONLY A QUARTER (P1) and DEPOSIT QUARTER AND PRESS THIS BUTTON[arrow sign pointing to award button AB] FOR THE SPOTLIGHTED ALBUM (P2).Likewise, the award button AB is .provided with the following indiciamessage: SPOTLIGHTED ALBUM. The indicia messages on the panels P1 and P2are ordinarily invisible, while the message on the award button AB isordinarily exposed to the customers View. However, as shown in FIGURE 7,a normally deactivated credit flashing lamp CFL and a normallydeactivated credit lamp CL are provided behind the panel P1, and anormally deactivated award lamp AL is provided Ibehind the panel P2, sothat upon appropriate energization of these lamps the various messagesdisplayed by the said panels P1 and P2 will be illuminated for view bythe customer, in a manner hereinafter described.

FIGURES 1-4 (which are spatially interrelated in the manner shown inFIGURE schematically illustrate the normal or stand-by scanningpositions of certain circuitry and mechanical elements which form thescan award system described herein. This system is adapted for use linconjunction with the exemplary coin-operated phonograph 1 shown inFIGURE 6.

An lalbum pricing unit APU (which is contained within a broken outlineshown in FIGURES 1-3) is adapated to add and subtract credit values inresponse to the deposit of coins in the phonograph 1 and thus serves asa prime control for the scan award system. The pricing unit APUcorresponds in general to the multiple pricing credit mechanism setforth and described in a copending application (entitled MULTIPLEPRICING CREDIT MECHA- NISM FOR COIN-RESPONSIVE EQUIPMENT, Serial No.301,064, filed August 9, 1963, in the name of Herman G. Jensen), nowPatent No. 3,202,256. For purposes of brevity, only certain relevantportions of the pricing unit APU are illustrated `and described indetail herein, it being understood that reference may be had to the saidcopending application for ya more comprehensive explanation of thecredit add and subtract functions described therein. However, thepricing unit APU is modified relative to multiple pricing creditmechanism of the aforementioned co-pending application in at least oneimportant respect (as illustrated in FIGURE 8 and `as herein afterdescribed in detail) in order to correlate the conventional or regularprice credit subtract feature with a bargain credit subtract feature ofthe scan award system described herein.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2., credit switches CS1-3 are provided in thepricing unit APU to serve as start conditioning controls, whereby thescan award system is conditioned for bargain operation only after theestablishment of sufiicient credit (switches CS2 or CS3, as the case maybe) and the removal of the established credit -by appropriate selection(switch SC1), in the following manner.

A lead 22 (shown in FIGURES 1 and 2) interconnects terminals T1 and T2of pricing unit APU. Terminal T1 is connected to a D.C. power source bya lead 20 (FIG- URE 2), and terminal T2 is connected to a terminal T2 bynormally opened credit switches CS2 and CS3 connected in parallel by ajumper J (FIGURE 1). The jumper J is provided to determine which of thecredit switches CS2 and CSS will be controlling as input lsignals tosignify the establishment of suiicient credit to warrant an awardselection. The switches CS2 and CSS are operated in the manner describedin the aforementioned co-pending application Serial No. 301,064, nowPatent No. 3,202,256, and credit switch CS2 is adapted to be closed whentwo or more credit units are established in the pricing unit APU (e.g.,two credit units established `by the deposit of 10 for a single playselection), while credit switch CSS is ladapted to beV closed when sixor more credit units are established (c g., six credit units establishedby the deposit of 25 for three single play selections, or twelve creditunits established by the deposit of 50 for an album play selection).With t-he jumper I connected as shown in FIGURE l, credit switch CS2would be controlling, where as with the jumper I removed, credit switchCS3 would be controlling, since credit switch CS2 would beopen-circuited. In this manner, the phonograph 1 can be readily adjustedto award Ibargain selections in response to the establishment of apredetermined credit value (eg, either two or more or six or moreestablished credit values, as the case may be).

A lead 24 interconnects terminal T2 with a terminal T3 (FIGURE 1), and:a normally deactivated power discharge system PD is connected betweenterminal T3 and a terminal T4. The power discharge system PD comprises acapacitor C in series with `a current limiting resistor CLR. As shown inFIGURES 1 and 2, terminal T4 is connected by a lead 26 through anormally closed switch 4S3 (controlled by a selector relay SR4, FIGURE2) to ground.

Thus, when a predetermined credit value has been established in thepricing unit APU (i.e., two credit values in the illustratedarrangement, since the jumper J is connected between terminal T2 andcredit switch CS2), a D.C. charge is impressed across the capacitor C bya circuit traced from the D.C. power source (FIGURE 2) through lead 20,terminal T1, lead 22 (FIGURES 1 and 2), terminal T2', jumper J, closedcredit switch CS2, terminal T2, lead 24, terminal T3, current limitingresistor CLR, capacitor C, terminal T4, lead 26 (FIGURES 1 and 2), andnormally closed lswitch 4S3 to ground. When the established credit isremoved from pricing unit APU by appropriate selection (in the mannerdescribed in the aforementioned co-pending application Serial No.301,064), now Patent No. 3,202,256, credit switch CS2 is opened so as todisconnect the charging voltage from capacitor C.

As previously indicated, a credit switch CS1 is also provided in pricingunit APU, and switch CS1 is adapted to be normally closed (as shown inFIGURE l) at a zero credit position and is adapted to be opened upon theestablishment of two or more credit values in pricing unit APU. Creditswitch CS1 opens prior to the closing of credit switch CS2 upon thedesignated establishment of two or m-ore credit values and cl-oses whenpricing unit APU reverts to a one or zero credit value position.

Credit switch CS1 `controls power discharge system PD which in turncontrols the energization of a normally deactivated start relay SR1 bydischarge of capaCitQr C.

Thus, the removal of credit (i.e., closing opened switch CS1) inresponse to a normal operation selection serves to condition the scanaward system for bargain operation, in the following manner. Whenpricing unit APU reverts to a one or zero credit value position, creditswitch CS1 is closed. Terminal T3 is connected by a lead 28 to aterminal T5, which in turn is connected by a lead 30 (FIGURES 1-3) to anormally closed switch TCSS (controlled by a timing cam TC, FIGURE 3).Switch TCSS is connected by a lead 32 (FIGURES 3 and 2) to a normallyclosed `switch 3S1 (controlled by a normally deactivated credit relayCRS, FIGURE 2). Switch 3S1 is connected by a lead 34 through a normallyclosed thermal switch TS1 (controlled by a normally deactivatedbimetallic resistor BMR in a thermal relay system TR, FIGURE 2) to alead 36 (FIGURES 2 and 1), which connects through closed credit switchCS1 to a `lead 38 and through start relay SR1 to ground. In other words,start relay SR1 is shunt connected across terminals T3 and T4 so thatdischarge of capacitor C may serve to energize start relay SR1 whencredit switch CS1 is closed.

When start relay SR1 is thus energized, normally opened switches 1S1 and1S2 which are controlled thereby are closed. Switch 1S1 functions as ahold for start relay SR1 since terminal T1 (FIGURE 2) is connectedthrough a normally closed drop-out switch DOS (controlled by a singlesubtract solenoid SSS of pricing unit APU, FIGURE 2) to a terminal T7,through a normally closed thermal switch TS2 (in thermal relay systemTR, FIGURE 2) to a terminal T6, and thence through a lead 40 (FIGURES 2and 1) and through closed switch 1S1 to the high side of start relaySR1.

Closing of switch 1S2 functions as a start signal for a normallydeactivated scan control relay SCR2 (FIG- URE 1) since a lead 42 (FIGUREl) connects an A.C. power source to a terminal T8 and through closedswitch 1S2 and scan control relay SCR2 in series to ground.

The foregoing yarrangement lof credit switches CS1-3,

I power discharge `system PD, and start relay SR1 constitutes a startarrangement that is responsive to normal operation of the phonograph 1.However, -it will be understood that the start arrangement could beadapted to respond to normal operation of the phonograph 1 in a varietyof other manners, although the described utilization of a signalresponsive to credit establishment for charging a power discharge sourceand of a s ignal responsive to credit removal for discharging the saidsource constitutes the preferred practice of the subyect invention inthe environment `of a coin-operated phonograph.

Energization of scan control relay SCR2 by energization of start relaySR1 closes normally opened switches` 2S1, 2S2, and 2S3 and opensnormally closed switch 2S4 which are controlled thereby. Switch 2S1 isconnected in series with a slow discharge resistor SDR (FIGURE l)between terminals T3 and T4, and thus closing of switch 2S1 functions tobleed off residual charge on capacitor C across resistor SDR (at leastduring the laward purchase period determined by thermal relay system TR,as hereinafter described). n

Closing of switch 2S2 functions to condition credit relay CR3 (FIGURE 2)for activation upon the establishment of six credit values in thefollowing manner. A lead 44 (FIGURE 3) connects a terminal T9 in pricingunit APU with a power source. Terminal T9 1s connected by a lead 46 to aterminal T10, which in turn 1s connected by a lead 48 (FIGURES 3 and 2),a normally opened album award credit switch ACS (in pricing unit APU,FIGURE 2), and a lead 50 (FIGURES 2 and 1) to switch 2S2. Switch 2S2connects lead 50 to a lead 52 (FIGURES l and 2) which connects to aterminal T11 (FIGURE 2). Since credit relay CR3 is connected betweenterminal T11 and ground, that relay will be energized when both switch2S2 (FIGURE 1) and album award credit switch ACS (FIGURE 2) are closed.The album award credit switch ACS is adapted to be closed upon theestablishment of six credit values,- that is, in amounts suflcient tovend the awarded selection, in the manner described in theaforementioned co-pending application Serial No. 301,064, now Patent No.3,202,256. In other words, once relays SR1 and SCR2 are energized by theestablishment and removal of credits (by conditioning credit switchesCS1-3, as previously described), the customer must deposit suiiicientcoins to cause the closing of album award credit switch ACS in order toobtain the benet of the bargain award.

Scan control relay SCR2 further functions to visually and audibly signalthe availability of an award selection (so that the customer may, if hechooses, deposit coins to close album award credit switch ACS) bycontrol of switch 283, in the following manner. As shown in FIG- URE 3,a plug P connects the input side of a transformer T to an A.C. powersource. An output terminal T30 of transformer T is connected by a lead54 (FIGURES 3-1) to switch 2S3. Switch 2S3 is also connected by a lead56 (FIGURES 1-3) to a terminal T12 (FIGURE 3). From terminal T12, a lead58 (FIGURES 3 and 4) connects to a terminal T13.

The previously described credit flashing lamp CFL (FIGURES 4 and 7) isconnected in series with a voltage dropping resistor VDRl and similarlythe previously described credit lamp CL is connected in series with avoltage dropping resistor VDR2, and the said series combinations areconnected in parallel between terminal T13 and a grounded lead GL oflight bank LB (FIGURE 4). Also, a switch TCSS (controlled by timing camTC, FIG- URE 3) is connected to terminal T12 by a lead 60 and to anormally deactivated gong G by a lead 62 (FIGURES 3 and 4), with gong Gbeing grounded by grounded lead GL of light bank LB.

Gong G, while not illustrated in detail, is a conventionalelectromagnetically operated sound-emitting device which utilizes anarmature to strike a rst plate upon electromagnetization and to strike asecond plate upon de-electroniagnetization, whereby sound is emittedboth upon the energization and upon the de-energization of gong G.

Credit flashing lamp CFL is provided with a conventional asher mechanism(not shown) so that lamp CF`L intermittently operates when energized inorder to produce a flashing effect. As previously indicated and as shownin FIGURE 7, credit flashing lamp CFL and cerdit lamp CL are physicallylocated behind indicia panel P1.

Thus, when switch 2S3 is closed lupon energization of scan control relaySCR2, gong G will sound (that is, as soon as switch TCS3 is closed bymovement of timing cam TC, in case the said switch happens to be openedwhen switch 2S3 is closed); credit flashing lamp CFL will intermittentlyilluminate the message on panel P1; and credit lamp CL iwillcontinuously illuminate the said message on panel P1.

Scan control relay SCR2 also functions to condition the randomness ofthe award selection `by controlling the operation of a normallyactivated timing cam motor TCM and of a normally activated scan controlmotor SCM (FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively) via operation of normally`closed switch 2S4 (FIGURE 1) in the following manner. Timing cam motorTCM is connected between terminals T17 and T18 (FIGURE 3), and scancontrol lmotor SCM is shunt connected with timing cam motor TCM by leads65 and 67 (FIGURES 3 and 4). Terminal T17 connects to plug P by a lead66, and terminal T18 connects to a terminal T14 by a lead 63. A lead 64(FIGURES 3 and 4) interconnects plug P and a terminal T16 (FIGURE 4).Terminal T16 is also connected by a lead 68 (FIGURES 4 and 3) to aterminal T15 (FIGURE 3).

Three switches are parallelly connected across the terminals T14 and T15in the following manner. A first carry-over switch SCSI (controlled by anormally activated rotary scan cont-rol cam SCC, which is driven by scancontrol motor SCM, (FIGURE 4) is connected between terminal T16 and'terminal T14 bya :lead 70 (FIG- URES 4 and 3). As previously indicated,terminal T16 is connected to terminal T by'a lead 68 (IFIGURES 4 and 3)so that switch SCS1 is thus connected across terminals T14 and T15.Likewise, a lead 7.2 (FIGURES 3l) connects terminal T14 with switch 2S4(controlled by scan control relay SCR2, FIGURE 1), and, in the samefashion, a lead 74 connects terminal T15 with switch 2S4, so that switch2S4 is theV second switch connected across terminals T14 and T115.Finally, as shown in FIGURE 3, a carry-over switch TCS1 (controlled bytiming cam TC, which is driven by timing cam motor TCM, FIGURE 3) is thethird switch connected across terminals T14 and T15. Y

With the foregoing arrangement, it will be apparent that motors TCM andSCM will both be continuously energized (so as to drive the respectivecams TC and SCC) so long as any one of the switches 284 (FIGURE 1), TCS1(FIGURE`3), or SCS1 (FIGURE 4) are closed. Since switch 2S4 is normallyclosed during a normal stand-by yor zero credit situ-ation and is notopened until scan control relay SCRZ is energized, both of the motorsTC-M and SCM will be continuously operated until activation of scancontrol relay SCR2 conditions phonograph 1 to vend an award selection.When scan control relay SCR-2 is energized so as to opencircuit switch2S4, lboth of the motors TCM and SCM -will be conditioned forrie-energization when both of their respective carry-over switches TCS1and SCS1 are opencircuited.

As indicated, energization of scan control relay SCR-2 will conditionmotors TCM and SCM to cle-energize through opening of the switch 284.Switches TCS1-5 (FIGURE 3) are controlled by the relative positioning oftiming cam TC (driven by timing cam motor TCM) and a timing cam followerTCF which is adapted to physically operate switches TCS1-'5. Whenfollower TCF is adjacent one of the live staggered lo'bes or raisedsurfaces of rotary timing cam TC (as shown in FIGURE 3), switches TCSIASwill retain the respective closed or opened positions shown in FIGURE 3.When, however, follower TCF is positioned adjacent one of thecorresponding live staggered dwells or lowered surfaces of cam TC,switches TCS1-5 will reverse from the positions shown in FIGURE 3. Theuse of iive such staggered dwell and lobe portions is of coursearbitrary, and various other arrangements could be substituted. Oneconvenient arrangement for such substitution takes the form of till-ininserts (not shown) that can be placed in a given d-well area so as toform one continuous lobe :from the two lobes that originally surroundedthe given dwell.

Similarly, a follower SCF is provided for scan control cam SCC (operatedby scan con-trol motor SCM), and scan control follower SCF wil-lposition switches SCS1-3 (FIGURE 4) in their respective closed or openedposiitons depending upon the relative positioning of follower SCF andcam SCC (i.e., the one lobe or dwell thereof). The rates of rotation forcams TC and SCC can be lappropriately correlated (i.e., asynchronously,as for example 1 r.p.m. for cam TC as compared to 26 r.p.m. for cam SCC)and the dwell and lobe portions for each o-f the cams can likewise be`correlated (as in FIGURES 3 and 4) so that at some given timelfollowers TCF and SCF will lboth be adjacent respective dwell areas ofcams TC and SCC respectively, whereby both switches TCS1 and SCS1 willbe simultaneously open-circuited. When such conditions are achieved,both motors TCM and SCM will be de-energized if scan control relay SCR2has been energized so as to open-circuit switch 2S4. It will beappreciated that by providing a series of dwell surfaces on cam TC atstaggered intervals (as shown in FIGURE 3) and by operating motors TCMand SCM asynchronously, it will be practically impossible for thecustomer to predetermine exactly when cam followers It should be notedat this stage that `the interaction of` timing cam TC and carry-overswitch TCS1 functions in and of itself to provide a random timingcontrol for operation ofmotor TCM. That is, even aside from theinteraction of scan control cam SCC and carry-over switch SCS1, timingcam TC serves to arbitrarily designate periodic intervals during whichmotor TCM may be de-energized since the customer-induced energization ofscan control, relay SCR2 (so as to open-circuit switch 284) can occur atany given angular disposition of timing cam TC relative to timing camfollower TCF. The additional presence of scan control cam SCC,carry-over switch SCS1, and asynchronous scan control motor SCM servesto compound the randomness of arbitrary deenergization for parallellyconnected motors TCM and SCM and further to insu-re that motor SCM isnot stopped during a scanning shift function, as hereinafter described.

When both motors TCM and SCM Icease rotating, switches TCS1-5 and SCS13(which are respectively controlled by motors TCM and SCM) willnecessarily have the following dispositions: TCS1, opened; TCSZ, closed;TCSS, opened; T CS4, closed; TCSS, opened; SCS1, opened; SCS2, closed;and SCS3, closed, by virtue of the deiined requisites for simultaneousstopping of motors TCM and SCM. As switch TCS3 opens, gong G soundsagain (since the said gong is in series with switch TCSS). This secondgong signal indicates to the cutomer that a particular spotlighted albumcan now be selected by appropriate depression of award button AB (shownin FIGURES 4, 6, and 7).

Simultaneously, since switch T CS2 has been closed, award lamp AL(physically situated behind panel P2, as indicated in FIGURE 7) isenergized to illuminate the indicia message thereupon and thereby tovisually indicate to the customer that the spotlighted award selectioncan now be made by establishing the requisite bargain credit. Award lampAL is energized by switch TCSZ in the following manner. A lead 60,switch TCS2, and a `lead S2 in series connect power terminal T12 to aterminal T19 (FIGURE 3), and terminal T19 is in turn connected to aterminal T20 by a lead 84 (FIG- URES 3 and 4). Award lamp AL isconnected in series with a voltage dropping resistor VDR3 betweenterminal T20 and grounded lead GL of light bank LB. As previouslyindicated, terminal T12 is a power terminal since it is connected to theoutput terminal T30 of transformer T (FIGURE 3) via lead 54 (FIGURES3-1), closed switch 2S3 (FIGURE l), and lead 56 (FIG- URES 1-3).

Closing `of switch TCSZ also serves to activate thermal relay system TR(FIGURE 2) so as to star-t an award purchase time running via a lead(FIGURES 3 and 2) that connects terminal T19 to bimetallic resistor BMRin thermal relay system TR. It will be recalled that credit relay CR3 isenergized when switch 2S2 is closed (by energization of scan controlrelay SCR2) if album award credit switch ACS has 4been closed by theestablishment of six credit values in pricing unit APU. If the customerfails to deposit suiiicient coins in order to establish the creditvalues required for the award selection, credit relay CR3 will not ybeenergized. In that case, the availability of the award will beextinguished within a predetermined time interval by means of thermalrelay system TR, in the following manner.

Terminal T19 (which as previously indicated is connected to powerterminal T12 via lead 60, closed switch TCS2,.and lead 82) is connectedIby lead 80 (FIGURES 3 and 2) to bimetallic resistor BMR, which isconnected to ground via a normally closed switch 354 controlled bycredit relay CR3 (FIGURE 3). Thus, when switch TCS2 closes, `bimetallicresistor BMR is energized (since under the assumed conditions creditrelay CR3 is not energized). After a predetermined time interval ofenergization for bimetallic resistor BMR (e.g., 30 to 60 seconds,depending upon its particular characteristics), resistor BMR willdistort so as to open-circuit thermal switches TS1 and TS2 (which arecontrolled by resistor BMR and which are normally maintained in a closeddisposition by a permanent magnet, not shown). When switches TS1 and TS2are opened, as indicated, both the start circuit and the hold circuitfor start relay SR1 (FIGURE l) will be open-circuited, whereby scancontrol -relay SCR2 will be de-energized and motors TCM and SCM willrecommence rotation, so as to erase the potential of an award selectionafter the predetermined time interval.

However, if credit relay CR3 is energized yby suitable deposit ofappropriate coins in the vending installation (so as to close albumaward credit switch ACS, as previously indicated) prior to the yopeningof thermal switches TS1 and TS2, switch 3S4 will be opened and anormally opened switch 383 will be closed (since both switches 3S4 and3S3 are controlled by credit relay CR3). Opening of switch 3S4open-circuits Ibimetallic resistor BMR so as to de-activate thermalrelay system TR, there-by to prevent the erasure of the available award.Likewise, closing of switch 3S3 shunts thermal switch TS2 (whichcontrols the hold circuit for start relay SR1) via a short circuitbypass, thereby to prevent thermal over-shooting in thermal system TR,which might otherwise deprive the customer of the award availability.

Energization of credit relay CR3 also opens normally closed switch 3S1and closes a normally opened switch 352. Switch 3S1, as previouslyindicated, is in series in the start circuit for start relay SR1, sothat any energization of start relay SR1 based upon the deposit of 25for the award selection will be obviated. In other words, a second awardselection (and so forth) cannot be based upon a first award selection,but only upon a `regular credit selection, as determined by thepreviously described credit conditioning switches CS1-3. In the samemanner, it will be noted that switch TCSS controlled by timing cam TCwill likewise be open-circuited when award credit is -being established,thereby to serve as a further means to prevent re-energization of thestart relay SR1 during the award function.

Closing of switch 352 serves to condition the scan award system forenergization of the previously mentioned select relay SR4 uponappropriate depression of award Ibutton AB by the customer. Switch 3S2is connected by a lead 76 to power terminal T7 (FIGURE 2) and by a lead78 (FIGURES 2-4) to a grounded latch magnet LM (FIG- URE 4). Latchmagnet LM is an electromagnetic holding device adapted to cooperate withswitches ABS1 and ABS2 associated with award button AB. Switch ABS1 isnormally opened and switch ABS2 is normally closed, and depression ofthe award Ibutton AB serves to close switch ABS1 and to open switchABS2. Latch magnet LM is provided with suihcient magnetization to holdswitch ABS1 closed and switch ABS2 opened once button AB is depressed bythe customer.

Select relay SR4 is controlled in the following manner. A circuit may betraced from terminal T11 in FIGURE 2 (which is a power terminal whencredit relay CR3 is energized) through a lead 86 (FIGURES 2-4), closedswitch ABS1 (which is closed by depression of award button AB by thecustomer, as previously indicated), a lead 88 (FIGURE 4), closed switchSCS3 (controlled by scan control cam SCC, FIGURE 4), a lead 90 (FIGURES4 and 3), closed switch TCS4 (controlled by timing cam TCC, FIGURE 3),and a lead 92 (FIGURES 3 and 2) to a terminal T21 (FIGURE 2). Selectrelay SR4 is connected between terminal T21 and a terminal T22, and alead 94 interconnects terminal T22 and a terminal 10 T23 (FIGURE 2).Finally, a lead 96 connects terminal T23 with a conventional steppergrounding pulse circuit SC (FIGURE 2). Circuit SC normally grounds lead96 but is adapted (by conventional means not shown) to intermittentlyopen-circuit lead 96 via a stepping action.

Thus, it should be apparent that, when the scan award system isappropriately conditioned (i.e., energization of relays SR1, SCR2, andCR3), select relay SR4 can be energized yby depression of award buttonAB by the customer (so as to close switch ABS1.) It will be noted thatclosed switch SCS3 (FIGURE 4) is in series in the start circuit for theselect relay SR4, so that it is impossible for the customer to make anaward selection (i.e., energization of select relay SR4) when the scancontrol motor SCM is functioning (i.e., scan control motor SCM, aspreviously described, can only cease rotation when the switches SCSI-3are in the dispositions shown in FIG- URE 4). Likewise, closed switchTCS4 associated with timing cam motor TCM serves a correspondingfunction.

Normally closed switch ABS2 (which, as previously indicated, is openedupon depression of award button AB) serves to disconnect a conventionalsingle start circuit SSC (FIGURE 4) which is connected in series withswitch ABS2 and with terminal T22 (FIGURE 2) by a lead 94 (FIGURES 2-4).In this manner, the selection of the bargain award serves to precludeenergization of single start circuit SSC.

Energization of select relay SR4 reverses each of the switches 4S1-10from their normal dispositions shown in FIGURE 2 and therebyaccomplishes the following functions. Switch 4S1 serves as a holdingswitch for relay SR4. Album pricing unit motor APUM (FIG- URE 3) -isconnected between carry-over terminals T24 and T24 (high and low,respectively), each of which are connected by respective leads 21 and21l to carryover power sources for operation of motor APUM (as describedin greater detail in the aforementioned co-pending application SerialNo. 301,064) now Patent No. 3,202,256. Thus, a circuit can be tracedfrom power terminal T24 through a lead 23 (FIGURES 3 and 2) to aterminal T25 (FIGURE 2). Switch 4S1 is connected between terminal T25and the previously described termnal T21 -so that when switch 4S1 isclosed upon energization of relay SR4, the said relay is locked in,

As previously indicated, normally closed switch 4S3 is in series withthe Icharging circuit for power discharge system PD. However, whenselect relay SR4 is energized, switch 4S3 is opened so as to prevent anycharging of capacitor C during the award function. Simultaneously,normally opened switch 4S2 is closed, thereby to connect terminal T5(FIGURE 1) through a lead 25, a fast discharge resistor FDR, a lead 27(FIGURES l and 2), closed switch 4S2, and lead 26( FIGURES 2 and l) toterminal T4. In this manner any remaining charge across the capacitor Cis rapidly dissipated across the shunted fast discharge resistor FDR,which is of relatively low resistance as compared to the previouslydescribed slow discharge resistor SDR (FIGURE l). This fast discharge isof course accomplished only after thermal relay system TR has beendeactivated (by credit relay CR3), so as to insure the availability ofthe award.

The re-orientation of switch pairs 4S4-5 and 486-7 upon energization ofselect relay SR4 serves to shift the selection circuitry from aconventional letter pulsing circuit LPC and a conventional numberpulsing circuit NPC (FIGURE 1) to the control of the scan award system,in the following manner. Leads 31 and 33 (FIGURES l and 2), which areconnected to letter pulsing circuit LPC, are bridged by normally closedswitch 485. Similarly, leads 29 and 37, which are connected to numberpulsing circuit NPC, are bridged by normally closed switch 4S7. Whenselect relay SR4 is not energized, switches 4S5 and 4S7 remain closed,and the conventional letter and number pulsing circuits LPC and NPC,respectively, operate in a conventional manner to determine selectionsand are unaffected by the scan award system described herein. When,however, select relay SR4 is energized, switches 485 and 487 areopen-circuited, while simultaneously switches 484 and 486 are closed.Closing of switch 484 connects lead 31 to a lead 35, which thus servesto interconnect letter pulsing circuit LPC via lead 31 to a'rotaryswitch letter write-in circuit R81 (FIG- URE 2), while open-circuitinglead 33. Similarly, closing of switch 486 interconnects lead 37 with alead 39, which thus serves to interconnect number pulsing circuit NPCvia lead 37 with a rotary switch number write-in circuit R82, whileopen-circuiting lead 29.

As is well known to one skilled in the art, during normal operation of acoin-operated phonograph, such as phonograph 1, rotary switches (notshown) in circuits LPC and NPC serve to transmit pulse signals to causethe physical playing of a given selection, as determined by a givenletter number pair (c g., B9, K3, etc.) that is written-in to the saidcircuits by the customers manipulation of selector buttons 5V (shown inFIGURE 1). However, during an award sequence, as determined byenergization of select relay SR4, the said pulse signals are transmittedinstead through write-in circuits R81 and R82 of the scan awardsystem'described herein, as the said circuits R81 and R82 arerespectively connected to conventional circuits LPC and NPC.

Rotary switches (not shown) are provided in circuits R81 and R82, andthese switches (which `correspond functionally to the previouslymentioned rotary switches of circuits LPC and NPC) are synchronouslydriven by scan control motor SCM so as to successively condition aseries of vend circuits for activation, in a conventional manner. Eachof the said vend circuits corresponds to a potential award selection.Thus, upon energization of select relay SR4, the letter-number pair thatis written-in to the conventional selection circuitry of the phonograph1 is determined automatically by the angular positioning of the rotaryswitches in `circuits R81 and R82 (which in turn are controlled by theangular positioning of the rotor, not shown, of motor SCM), rather thanby the customers manipulation of selector buttons 5.

In actual practice, the rotary switches in circuits R81 and R82correspond to the schematic rotary switch RS shown in FIGURE 4. SwitchR8 is driven synchronously with the said rotary switches by motor SCMand is provided with a conventional rotary arm 73 which interconnects alead 73 with a series of angularly spaced contact points (eighteen inthe described embodiment). The said contact points are connected byleads w1-15 (leads w3, w8, and w13 each being connected to two contactpoints) to corresponding ones of award lamps ALI-15 provided in lampbank LB (FIGURE 4). As shown in FIGURE 4, the contact points of rotaryswitch RS are connected to a randomly selected series of leads w1-15 soas to sequentially energize a given one of the lamps ALI-15 at a time inan apparently random scanning pattern. T he pattern will of courserepeat for each cycle of revolution of rotary arm 73 and thus isactually predetermined, although apparently random from the'customersviewpoint. Energization of the said lamps is effected by a circuittraced from output terminal T30 of transformer T (FIGURE 3), through avoltage dropping resistor VDR4, a terminal T31, a lead 71 (FIGURES 3 and4), closed switch SCS2 (controlled by scan control cam SCC, FIGURE 4),and the previously mentioned lead 73 which connects to rotary arm 73 ofrotary switch RS.

It will be noted that swit-ch SCSZ must be closed in order for any ofthe lamps ALI-15 to be illuminated. The lobe and dwell surfaces of scancontrol cam SCC are correlated so that switch SCSZ will be closed whenrotary arm 73 is positioned on a given contact point but will be openedwhen the arm 73', is in the process of shifting yinto contact with thenext adjacent -contact point. Preferably, a rotary stepping switch ofthe type set forth 12 and described in a co-pending application(entitled RO- TARY STEPPING SWITCH, led of even date herewith, in thename of Ioseph E. Wright, Ir.) is utilized in order to vaccomplish astep-wise ,incremental switching function so that rotary arm 73 dwellson a given contact point for a predetermined interval and then advancesto the next adjacent contact point, etc. In practice, rotary arm 73 ispreferably adapted to advance one position-(ie, 20 of angular rotationfor the disclosed eighteen contact rotary switch) for each revolution ofscan -control cam SCC, in the manner set forth yin the said Wright, J r.co-pending application.

With the foregoing arrangement, motor SCM can be de-energized only whenswitch SCS2 is closed (since switch 8G82 is closed only when switch SCSIis opened) or, in other words, only when a given one of the award lampsALI-15 is being illuminated. As previously indicated, this requirementcompounds the randomness primarily attributable to timing cam TC andalso insures that the scanning function can cease only in discrete steps(as determined by scan control cam SCC) when selection can be effected(via write-in circuits R81 and R82). Thus, when scan control motor SCMceases rotation, a given one of the lamps ALI-d will spotlight therandomly selected album (by appropriate illumination of a givenfacsimile `13 in scan panel SP, FIGURE l), so as to indicate to thecustomer that the given spotlighted album selection is available at abargain price. If the award album is then selected by the customer (viaoperation of album award credit switch ACS and award button AB, aspreviously described), the phonograph 1 will write-in and play thespotlighted award album.

It will be observed that the synchronous drive of rotary switch RS andthe rotary switches (not shown) of circuits R81 and R82 will Idefne acorrelation between a given one of the award lamps AE1-15 and aletter-number pair determined in write-in circuits R81 and R82. Aspreviously indicated, selections in coin-operated phonographinstallations are determined by written-in letter-number pairs, so thatthe wiring of the circuits R81 and R82 relative to the wiring of rotaryswitch RS can serve to predetermine which albu-rn selections will beavailable for award selection and in what apparently random order theselalbums will be scanned, as indicated by the sequentially flashinglights in scan panel SP of phonograph 1 (see FIGURE 6). It will ofcourse be understood that the scanning pattern as well as thecorrelation to the actual award selections can be varied as desired.

Energization of select relay SR4 also serves to close normally openedswitches 488 and 489, thereby to activate motor APUM of pricing unit APU(FIGURE 3), in the following manner. Terminal T24' (FIGURE 3), which aspreviously indicated connects to a low side carryover of the motor APUM,is connected by a lead 75 (FIGURES 3 and 2), through switch 488, and bya lead 77 .to intermittently grounded terminal T23. Similarly, terminalT24 (FIGURE 3), which connects to a highside carry-over for motor APU-M,is connected by the previously described lead 23 (FIGURES 3 and 2) toterminal T25, through switch 489, and through a lead 79 (FIGURES 2 and3) to power terminal T9 (FIG- URE 3). In this manner, energizati-on ofselect relay SR4 causes the commencement of rotation of motor AlPUM,which then continues to rotate under the influence of it-s owncarry-over functions. Motor APUM in turn serves to control the creditsubtract functions of pricing unit APU (by removing established creditsfrom a ratchet credit wheel, not shown, in lthe manner described in theaforementioned co-pending application Serial No. 301,- 064 now PatentNo. 3,202,256).

Select relay SR4 also controls a normally closed switch 4810, whichserves t-o contr-ol the energization of a subtract shift solenoid 83(FIGURE 3). Power terminal T9 (IFIGURE 3) is connected by lead 79(FIGURES 3 and 2) through normally closed switch 4810, -a lead 81(FIGIURES 2 and 3), through subtract shift solenoid 83, a lead 85, and aswitching system 87 to ground. Switching system 87 comprises a normallyclosed switch 87 and a normally opened switch 87, which are controlledby mot-or APUM. Switching system 87 functions as a make-before-breakswitch so that the switch 87 is closed before the switch 87 is opeue-d,thereby to provide for pulse-energization of subtract shift solenoid S3.

'FIGURE 8 illustrates the mechanical functioning of subtract shiftsolenoid 83, as well as of switching system 87 (which, as indicated inFIGURE 3, is controlled by motor APUM). The FIGURE 8 dispositionillustrates the arrangement of the described parts during a maximum (asopposed to a minimum) credit removing position, as indicated by thefollowing description.

Subtract shift solenoid 83 controls an armature 100 which is connectedto a pin 100' to a bifurcated yoke 101. Yoke 101 is pivotally mounted ona shaft 103 and is biased by a spring 102 to normally rotate away fromthe solenoid S3 (i.e., away from the position shown in FIGURE 8). `Thebifurcated legs of yoke `101 are attached (as by a rivet 104) to ashifta'ble barrel housing '105 provided in pricing unit APU. Housing105r supports a subtract ratchet segment 106 thereupon so that rotationof housing 105 (as by a shaft 108 driven by motor APUM) rotates ratchetsegment 106 in order to subtract established credits from a ratchetcredit wheel (not shown), in the manner described in the aforementionedco-pending application Serial No. 301,064 now Patent No. 3,202,- 256. Asdescribed in the said application, ratchet segment 106 is provided withan inner and an outer set of ratchet teeth so that the axial positioningof housing 105 and therefore of ratchet segment 106 relative to theratchet credit wheel (not shown) can be serve to determine the amount ofcredit units subtracted (c g., either six or twelve).

In the embodiment described herein, ratchet segment i106 is normallypositioned so as to remove six credit units from the ratchet creditwheel but is adapted to be shifted by energization of solenoid 83(thereby inducing rotation of yoke `101) to a new position (as shown inFIGURE 8) wherein twelve credit values are removed upon a one-cyclerevolution of pricing motor APUM.

A compression spring 107 is provided between a frame support 107 andbarrel housing 105 to cooperate with the previously mentioned spring 102so as to normally urge yoke 101 to rotate away from solenoid 83, therebyto normally urge ratchet segment 106 toward the left (as seen in FIGURE8) to its minimum cre-dit-removing position (e.g., the removal of sixcredit units). When subtract shift solenoid 83 is pulse-energized, yoke101 is rotated so as to cause ratchet segment 106 to move toward theright (as seen in FIGURE 8) to its position of maximum credit removal(e.g., the removal of twelve credit units). When ratchet segment i106has been shifted, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, a pivotable latch lever.1-10 acts to lock yoke 101 in position adjacent solenoid 83 even afterthe said solenoid is de-energized by the opening of switch 87 ofswitching system 87 (FIGURE 3). -Latch lever 110 is pivoted on a shaft111 and is biased by a spring 1-12 for rotation in a clockwise direction(as seen in FIGURE 8) so as to urge a latch arm 113 thereof intoimpeding engagement with an extending leg 113 of yoke 101. Latch lever110 is also provided with an extension 114 which is positioned in thepath of movement of a lug 1,15 provided on -a rotary cam 109 ixedlypositioned on the previously mentioned shaft 10S of pricing motor APUM.In this manner, as rotary cam 109 completes a cycle of revolution, lug 115 will engage extension 114 so as to rotate latch lever -110 out ofengagement with yoke 101, whereby springs 107 and 102 will cause housing105 and its associated ratchet segment 106 to revert to the minimumcredit removing position.

Rotary cam 109 is also provided with circumferential 'dwell and lobeportions in order to operate switching 14 system 87 (FIGURE 3) in thepreviously described make-before-break manner. A normally opened switch89 (FIGURE 3) is also closed upon operation of motor APUM, but switch 89is not illustrated in FIGURE 8.

Latch lever 114 may -be cocked against the force of its spring 112 (bysuperimposed engagement of leg 113') so as to bear against a contactblade of a normally closed switch 83 (FIGURES 3 and 8) in order t-oclose the said switch whenever latch lever is rotated against the forceof its spring 112. When subtract shift solenoid 83 is energized, so asto displace ratchet segment 106, latch lever 110 rotates under theinfluence of its spring 112 so as to allow switch 83 to open (as shownin FIG- URE 8), -until such time as latch lever 110 is again cammed outof locking engagement with yoke 101 by engagement with lug 115 of rotarycam 109.

The foregoing arrangement provides a unique 'anticheat function in thefollowing manner. It will be observed that, since normally closed switch4810 (FIG- URE 2) is in series with sub-tract shift solenoid 83 (FIGURE3) this solenoid will be pulse-energized upon each regular priceselection. Thus, credit removal in pricing unit APU will be conditionedfor maximum or regular album price conditions (e. g., twelve creditunits/album play) except during an -award function. When select relaySR4 is energized (so as to vend an award selection at a bargain priceof, for example, six credits), switch 4S10 is opened so as to preventthe energization of solenoid 83 and therefore the shifting of ratchetsegment 106 to its maximum credit removing position. By thus maintainingratchet segment 106 in its minimum credit removal position during anaward function, an amount of credits corresponding to establishedcredits at the bargain price will be removed.

To avoid cheating during the award function of phonograph 1, thepreviously described switch 89 (controlled by motor APUM, FIGURE 3) andswitch 83' (controlled by subtract shift solenoid 83, FIGURES 3 andl 8)are provided in series with select relay SR4 (between terminal T10 and aterminal T40, which is connected by a lead 91, shown in FIGURES 3 and 2,to terminal T21) so as to provide an independent route for theenergization thereof. If subtract shift solenoid 83 has not operated(i.e., if switch 83 remains closed, as during an award function),closing of switch 89 (by operation of pricing motor APUM) will serve toprovide an alternate path of energization for select relay SR4. Thisinsured energization of select relay SR4 wil prevent a customer fromdisconnecting line power to phonograph 1 in an effort to deenergizeselect relay SR4 and thereby to prevent switches 4S4-7 from functioningto shift the write-in selection to circuits RSI and RS2. The customermight desire to attempt this maneuver in order to obtain a non-bargainalbum selection at the bargain price. Thus, switch 89 will close uponcommencement of rotation of motor APUM and switch 83 will remain closed(so long as subtract shift solenoid 83 has not been energized so as toopen switch 83'), whereby select relay SR4 will remain energized even ifthe line power is disconnected and reconnected to phonograph 1. Itshould be understood that in the described arrangement subtract shiftsolenoid 83 will be engerized only when a regular price album play isselected and will not be energized whenever a bargain award is selectedV(i.e., by virtue of the normally closed status of switch 4S10 controlledby select relay SR4).

The operation of the previously described circuitry and mechanicalelements may be briefly summerized in the following manner. Normally,scan award panel SP of phonograph 1 will display the flashingfacsimilies 13, one at a time, in an apparently random scan pattern (viastepping rotary switch RS, operating in conjunction with switch SCSZ),as motors TCM and SCM both continuously operate. In this manner, thecustomers attention is directed to the series of potential awardselection repreessayes sented by the flashing fascimiles 13. When thecustomer deposits coins in phonograph 1 and thereafter selects anOrdin-ary record play of his choice, conditioning credit switches CS1-2will cause power discharge system PD to activate start relay SR1, whichin turn activates scan control relay SCRZ (via switch 182), so as to.condition phonograph 1 for the vending of an award selection. Startrelay SR1, once activated, will lock-in (via s-witch 1S1).

When scan control relay SCRZ is thus activated, gong l G sounds (viaswitches 2S3 and TCS3), and credit lamp CL and credit ashing lamp CFLilluminate panel P1 to inform the customer of an upcoming awardavailability (via switch 253). Simultaneously, motors TCM and SCM areconditioned for deactivation (via switch 284-), and creditvrelay CR3 isalso conditioned for activation (via switch 2S2, in series with normallyopened album 'award credit switch ACS). Scan control relay SCRZ alsofunctions (via switch 281) t-o commence discharge of power dischargesystem PD across slow discharge resistor SDR.

As soon as rotary cams TCC and SCC are properly orientated (if indeedsuch proper orientationI did not happen to occur exactly when relay SCRZwas activated), motors TCM and SCM both cease rotating (via switchesTCS1 and SCSI), and the scanning function ceases so as to determine theavailability of a given one of the award selections (via circuitsRSl-Z). The facsimile corresponding to the said given one of the awardselections is spotlightef and so far as the customer is aware, thedetermination of this given spotlighted selection as the available award(by virtue of the angular positioning of timing cam TC) is arbitrary andrandom.

Also, as soon as motors TCM and SCM cease rotating, the start circuitfo-r start relay SR1 is open-circuited to prevent an award based on anaward (via switch TCSS). Also, gon-g G sounds again (via switch TCSS),and

simultaneously Iaward lamp AL illuminates panel P2 (via switch TCSZ) toinform the customer that the particular selection corresponding to thespotlight facsimile may be purchased at a bargain price by depositingsuitable coins and then operating award button AB. Thermal relay systemTR is simultaneously activated (also Vvi-a switch TCSZ) to start apredetermined award purchase time running against the customer. If thecustomer does not establish bargain credits by suitable coin depositswithin the award purchase time, the conditioned award will be erased,las thermal relay system TR deactivates start relay SR1 (via switchesTS1-2); however, if album award credit switch ACS is closed by theestablishment of lbargain credits within the -award purchase time,thermal relay system TR will itself be deactivated (via activation ofcredit relay CR3, which controls switches 383-4) so as to stop therunning of the award purchase time.

As indicated, credit relay CR3 is activated when album award creditswitch ACS is suitably closed. Simultaneously, select relay SR4- isconditionedrfor activation (via activation of credit relay CR3 and theconditioning status of switches TCS4 and SCS3 attributable to thedeactivated status of motors TCM and SCM) and in fact is so activatedwhen the customer operates award button AB. Activation of credit relayCR3 serves to prevent an award by deactivating the start circuit forstart relay SR1 (via switch 3S1) and, as previously indicated, todeactivate thermal relay system TR (via switches 383-4).

Likewise, activation of select relay SR4 deactivates power dischargesystem PD (via switch 4S3); discharges residual power in power dischargesystem PD across fast discharge resistor FDR (via switch 452); shiftsthe selection write-in from conventional pulsing circuits LPC and NPC torotary switch write-in circuits R51 and RSZ, which are correlated by thepositioning of motor SCM to the spotlighted award selection (viaswitches 4S4-7); and activates the bargain credit subtract functions ofpriclllV 16 ing motor APUM (via switches 4558-9), while simultaneouslyopen-circuiting shift solenoid 83 (via switch 4810) so as to cause theremoval of minimum credits (via ratchet segment 106). Select relay SR4,once activated, will lock-in (via switch 481). Y

The selected award is then Vplayed by phonograph 1 (via conventionalmeans, not shown), while motor APUM (and ultimately single subtractsolenoid SSS) remove the established credits (and extinguish the awardconditioning status, by opening drop-out switch DOS). Also, an anticheatarrangement is provided (via switches 89 and 83') to insure energizationof select relay SR4 during an award function. If an award selection isnot made by the customer, credit removal at regular (i.e., non-bargain)prices is effected as in the foregoing manner, except that subtractshift solenoid 83 is activated (via switch 4510) so as to cause theremoval yof maximum credits (via ratchet segment 106) and also to causethe deactivation of the independent energization route for select relaySR4 (via switch 83).

It will be noted that the foregoing arrangement is based upon a premiseof normal bargain price credit removal and exceptional regular pricecredit removal (i.e.', subtract shift solenoid 83 must be activated toremove regular price credits, while a deactivated status thereoffunctions to remove bargain price credits) since in the environment of acoin-operated phonograph of the type described herein album selectionstend to be vended more often as awards than as regular price plays, andthus wear and tear on the credit subtracting elements are minimized.However, -this arrangement could be readily inverted, as required.

Finally, it should be noted that the previously mentioned drop-outswitch DOS (controlled by single subtract solenoid SSS of pricing unitAPU) serves as a shut-olf control to completely deactivate the awardfunction-s upon the nal removal of credit in pricing unit APU, in thefollowing manner. As more fully explained in the aforementionedco-pending application Serial No. 301,064, after pricing motor APUMcompletes one cycle of revolution and stops, solenoid SSS is energizedto remove the last one or two established credit units in pricing unitAPU, and this energization of solenoid SSS serves to open-circuit thehold circuit for start relay SR1, which causes scan control relay SCRZto deactivate, thereby reactivating motors TCM and SCM andsimultaneously deactivating credit relay CR3. The hold circuit forselect relay SR4 is deactivated when pricing motor APUM stops (i.e.,carry-over terminal T24 is then de-energized); the start circuit forselect relay SR4 is open-circuited when credit relay CR3 is deactivated;and lfinally the independent excitation circuit for select relay SR4 isinterrupted when pricing motor APUM stops (since switch S9' is thenopened).

For convenience, the scan award system has been described with referenceto single album award selections. However, it will be -obvious to oneskilled in the art that the system described herein may readily beadapted by conventional changes in selection circuitry to providemultiple award selections (e.g., two or more album award selectionsinstead of one, or a choice of selecting from among two -or more albumaward selections). Accordingly, the term award selection as used hereinshould be understood to encompass multiple as well as single awardarrangements.

It should be understood that the invention set forth herein broadlyembraces the bargain and award concepts described with reference to theoperation of a vending installation and especially a coin-operatedphonograph. However, the scope of the invention also contemplates theaward concept in and of itself, regardless of a particular environmentof use. It should further be understood that various changes,modifications, and alterations may be effected in the details andarrangements of the various elements described herein, Without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the subject invention, as defined inthe appended claims.

What Iis claimed is:

1. A scan award system for a vending instal-lation adapted to vend awardselections at a given price and comprising:

normally activated scan means adapted when activated to continuouslyscan a series of potential award selections one at a time pursuant to apredetermined pattern; normally deactivated award conditioning meansadapted upon activation to determine the availability of a given one iofthe award selections by deactivating the scan means;

start means for activating the award conditioning means;

normally deactivated award selection means adapted upon activation tovend the said given one of the award selections; and

credit means responsive to the establishment of credit corresponding tothe given price and responsive to the activation of the awardconditioning means for activating the award selection means.

2. A scan award system as claimed .in claim 1 and further comprising:

timing control means operative in conjunction with the awardconditioning means for determining the availability of a randomlyselected given one of the award selections.

3. A scan award system for `a vending installation adapted to vend awardselections at a given price and comprising:

scan means adapted to scan a series of potential award selections;

award conditioning means adapted upon activation to determine theavailability for vending of a randomly selected given one of the awardselections scanned by the scan means;

start means for activating the award conditioning means; award selectionmeans adapted upon activation to vend the said given one of the awardselections; and

creditl means responsive to the establishment of credit corresponding tothe given price for activating the award selection means.

4. A scan award system as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising:

first signal means responsive to the operation of the scan means forsignalling the potential availability of the series of award selections;and

second signal means responsive to activation of the award conditioningmeans for signalling the potential availability of a given one of theaward selections.

5. A scan award system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sa-id firstsignal means comprises a series of lights, one for each of the awardselections, and a rotary switch operated by the scan means and adaptedto successively cause the illumination of each of the lights.

6. A scan award system as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising:

time delay means for deactivating the award condition- -ing means withina predetermined time interval after the activation of the awardconditioning means.

7. A scan award system as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising:

credit responsive means for deactivating the time delay means inresponse to the establishment of credit corresponding to the givenprice.

8. A scan award system as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising:

award sensitive means for preventing activation of the start means inresponse to operation of the vending installation pursuant to thevending of an award selection.

9. A scan award system as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising:

award shut-otf means for deactivating the award conditioning means inresponse to operation of the vending installation pursuant t-o thevending of an award selection.

10. A scan award system for a vending installation adapted to vend awardselections at a given price pursuant to normal operation of the vendinglinstallation and adapted in addition to vend award selections at abargain price and comprising:

normally activated scan means adapted when activated to continuouslyscan a series of potential award selections onev at a time pursuant to apredetermined pattern;

normally deactivated award conditioning means adapted upon activation todetermine the availability of a given one of the award selections bydeactivating the scan means;

start means for activating the award conditioning means;

conditioning means responsive to normal operation of the vendinginstallation for activating the start means;

normally deactivated award selection means adapted upon activation tovend the said given one of the award selections; and

bargain credit means responsive to the establishment of creditcorresponding to the bargain price and responsive to the activation ofthe award conditioning means for activating the award selection means.

11. A scan award system for a vending installation adapted to vend awardselections at a given price pursuant to normal operation of the vendinginstallation and adapted in addition to vend award selections at abargain price and comprising:

scan means adapted to scan a series of potential award selections; awardconditioning means adapted upon activation to determine the availabilityfor vending of a given one of the award selections scanned by the scanmeans;

start means for activating the award conditioning means;

conditioning means responsive to normal operation of the vendinginstallation for activating the start means; award selection meansadapted upon activation to vend the said given one off the awardselections; and

bargain credit means responsive to the establishment of creditcorresponding to the bar-gain price for activating the award selectionmeans.

12. A scan award system as claimed in claim 11 and further comprising:

bargain credit subtract means responsive to activation of the awardselection means and adapted to remove the established creditcorresponding to the bargain price.

13. A scan award system as claimed in claim 11 and further comprising:

given price credit subtract means adapted to remove established creditcorresponding to the given price; bargain credit subtract means adaptedto remove established credit corresponding to the bargain price; shiftmeans responsive to a deactivated status of the award selection meansfor activating the given price cred-it subtract means and forsimultaneously deactivating `the bargain credit subtract means.

14. A scan award system as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

anti-cheat means for activating the award selection means; independentlyof the activation thereof effected by the bargain credit means, inresponse to .activation of the bargain credit subtract means.

15. A scan award system vas claimed in claim 11 wherein the saidconditioning means comprises:

power source means; Y

credit means responsive to the establishment and to the removal ofcredit corresponding to the given price for activating the power sourcemeans; and start sign-al means responsive to activation of the powersource means for activating the start means.

1'6. A scan award system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the said vendinginstallation comprises a coin-operated phonograph.

1-7. A scan award system for a vending installation yadapted to vendselections at a given price pursuant to normal operation of 4the vendinginstallation and adapted in addition to vend award selections at abargain price and comprising:

normally activated scan means for successively conditioning a series ofvend circuits for activation, each said vend circuit corresponding to apotential award selection;

normally deactivated bargain credit means adapted to :be activated inresponse to the establishment of credit corresponding to the bargainprice; normally deactivated award conditioning means; power meansresponsive to normal operation of the vending installation foractivating .the awardV conditioning means; control means responsive toactivation of the award conditioning means for deactivating the scanmeans so as to x the availability of a randomly selected potential awardselection; Y

award selection means responsive to activation of th bargain creditmeans and to activation of the award conditioning means for activatingthe vend circuit corresponding to the xed potential award selection; and

credit subtract means responsive to activation of the award selectionmeans for causing the removal of the established credit corresponding tothe bargain price.

18. A scan award system for a vending installation.

adapted to vend selections at a given price pursuant to normal operationof the vending installation and adapted in addition to vend awardselections at a bargain price and comprising:

vend conditioning scan means adapted to successively condition a seriesof vend circuits for activation, each said vend circuit corresponding toa potential award selection; normally activated scan drive means foroperating the vend conditioning scan means; normally deactivated bargaincredit means adapted to be activated in response to the establishment of`credit corresponding to the bargain price; normally deactivated startmeans; norm-ally deactivated scan control means; normally deactivatedselect means; power means responsive t-o normal operation of the vendinginstallation for activating the start means; means responsive toactivation of theA start means for activatin-g the scan control means;means responsive to activation of the scan control means and toactivation ot the bargain credit means for activating the select means;means responsive to activation of the scan control means fordeactivating the scan drive means so as Y to fix the availability of agiven potential award selection;

means responsive to activation of the select means for Aactivating .thevend circuit corresponding to the ifixed potential award selection; and

credit subtract means responsive to activation of the select means forcausing the removal of the established credit corresponding to thebargain price.

19. A scan award system for a vending installation adapted to vendselections at a given price pursuant to normal operation of the vendinginstallation and adapted in addition to vend award selections at abargain price and comprising: v

vend conditioning scan means adapted to successively condition a seriesof vend circuits for activation, each said vend circuit corresponding toa potential award selection; t award signal scan means adapted tosuccessively activate a series of signal circuits, each said signalcircuit corresponding to a potential award selection;

normally activated scan drive means for synchronously operating the vendconditioning scan means and the award signal scan means; normallyactivated timing control means adapted upon deactivation to deactivatethe scan drive means;

normally deactivated bargain credit means adapted to be activated inresponse to the establishment of credit corresponding to the bargainprice;

normally deactivated manual selection means adapted Ito be manuallyactivated by the customer; normally deactivated start means;

normally deactivated scan control means;

normally deactivated credit means;

normally deactivated select means;

power means responsive to normal operation of the Y vending installationfor activating the start means;

means responsive to activation orf the start means for activating thescan control means;

means responsive to activation of the scan control means and toactivation of the bargain credit means for activating the credit means;

signal means responsive to activation of the scan control means forsignalling to the customer the availability of a potential awardselection;

means responsive to activation of the scan control means fordeactivating the timing control means and thereby the scan drive meansso as to tix the availability of a given potential award selection;

means responsive .to activation of the credit means for deactivating thestart means;

means responsive to activation of the credit means and to activation ofthe selection means for activating the select means;

means responsive to activation of the select means for deactivating thepower means; means responsive to activation of the select means foractivating the vend circuit corresponding to the fixed potential awardselection; and t cred-it subtract means responsive to activation of theselect means for causing the removal of the established creditcorresponding to the bargain price.

20. A scan control system for xing the position of a rotary switchadapted to continuously scan a series of contacts and comprising:

scan control motor means adapted to rotate at a rst given rate ofrevolution and thereby to drive the rotary switch;

timing control rotary cam means;

timing control motor means adapted to rotate at a second given rate ofrevolution and thereby to drive the timing control rotary cam means;

means connecting the scan control motor means and the timing controlrnotor means in parallel; source means adapted to connect the parallellyconnected motor means to a power supply; and

timing control switch means connected in series between the timingcontrol motor means and the source means and adapted to be closed duringone portion and to be opened during another portion of the cycl'e ofrevolution of the timing control rotary cam means, whereby the scancontrol motor means and the timing control motor means may besimultaneously de-energized so as to tix the position of th'e rotaryswitch only when the timing control switch means is opened by the timingcontrol rotary cam means. 21. A scan control system as claimed in claim20 and further comprising:

scan control relay means; and normally closed scan control relay switchmeans connected in parallel with the timing control switch means andadapted to be opened upon energization y of the scan control relaymeans,

whereby the scan control motor means and the timing control motor meansmay be simultaneously de-energized only when the timing control switchmeans is opened by the timing control rotary cam means and when the scancontrol relay switch means is opened by energization of the scan controlrelay means. 22. A scan control system as claimed in claim 20 andfurther comprising:

scan control rotary cam means adapted to be driven by the scan controlmotor means synchronously with the rst given rate of revolution; andscan control switch means connected in parallel with the timing controlswitch means and adapted to be closed during one portion and to beopened during another portion of the cycle of revolution of the scancontrol rotary cam means, whereby the scan control motor means and thetiming control motor means may be simultaneously de-energized so as to xth'e position of the rotary switch only when both the scan controlswitch means and the timing control switch means are both opened by therespective scan control rotary cam means and the timing control rotarycam means. 23. A scan control system as claimed in claim 20 and furthercomprising:

scan control rotary cam means adapted to be driven by 3 the scan controlmotor means synchronously with the rst given rate of revolution;

stepping means responsive to operation of the scan control motor meansfor driving the rotary switch stepwise from contact to contact of theseries of contacts by holding the rotary switch for a predeterminedinterval in alignment with a given contact; and

scan control switch means connected in parallel with the timing controlswitch means and adapted to be opened by the scan control rotary cammeans whenever the rotary switch is in alignment with a given contactand otherwise to be closed thereby,

whereby the scan control motor means and the timing control motor meansmay be simultaneously de-enenergized so as to fix the position of therotary switch in alignment with a given contact only when both the scancontrol switch means and the timing control switch means are both openedby the respective scan control rotary cam means and the timing controlrotary cam means.

24. A scan control system as claimed in claim 23 and further comprising:

scan control relay means; and

normally closed scan control relay switch means connected in parallelwith the timing control switch m'eans and adapted to be opened uponenergization of the scan control rel-ay means,

whereby the scan control motor means and the timing control motor meansmay be simultaneously deenergized to ix the position of the rotaryswitch in alignment with a given contact-only when both the scan controlswitch means and the timing control switch means are both opened by therespective scan control rotary cam means and the timing control rotarycam means and when the scan control relay switch means is opened byen'ergization of the scan control relay means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,285,061 6/ 1942Shoemaker l94-15 3,173,530 3/1965 Lord 194-2 3,185,279 5/1965 Spears194-1 40 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

1. A SCAN AWARD SYSTEM FOR VENDING INSTALLATION ADAPTED TO VEND AWARDSELECTIONS AT A GIVEN PRICE AND COMPRISING: NORMALLY ACTIVATED SCANMEANS ADAPTED WHEN ACTIVATED TO CONTINUOUSLY SCAN A SERIES OF POTENTIALAWARD SELECTIONS ONE AT A TIME PURSUANT TO A PREDETERMINED PATTERN;NORMALLY DEACTIVATED AWARD CONDITIONING MEANS ADAPTED UPON ACTIVATED TODETERMINE THE AVAILABILITY OF A GIVEN ONE OF THE AWARD SELECTIONS BYDEACTIVATING THE SCAN MEANS; START MEANS FOR ACTIVATING THE AWARDCONDITIONING MEANS; NORMALLY DEACTIVATED AWARD SELECTION MEANS ADAPTEDUPON ACTIVATION TO VEND THE SAID GIVEN ONE OF THE AWARD SELECTIONS; ANDCREDIT MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDIT CORRESPONSING TOTHE GIVEN PRICE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE ACTIVATION OF THE AWARDCONDITIONING MEANS FOR ACTIVATING THE AWARD SELECTION MEANS.